Living Legacy: Rebbe Aaron of Belz, zy”a

21 Av marks the 64th yohrtzeit of the Belzer Rov, a kadosh v’tohor, who visibly lived disconnected from this world—while at the same time drawing the broken souls of the post-Holocaust world, soothing their shattered souls with his warmth.

He also succeeded in restoring the lost glory of the beautiful world of Belzer chassidus—which has continued to flourish in the ensuing decades.

The Ruv was born in the year 5640 (1880) in the town of Belz, to his great father, Rebbe Yisachar Dov of Belz. He was named for his holy ancestors, Rebbe Aaron of Chernobyl and Rebbe Aaron of Karlin. He was orphaned of his mother at a young age, and was raised by his grandfather, Rebbe Shie’le, the second Belzer Ruv.

Tzaddikim of his generation said of his holiness, “the yetzer harah forgot about him.”

In 5787 (1926), following the passing of his father, Rebbe Aaron assumed the leadership of the Belzer chassidus, which was spread throughout Poland and Galicia, and world of Torah and avodah, where one could see “yoshvim,” elevated chassidim who would sit in Belz for months at a time, as well as the thousands who would journey to this spiritual center for Yom Tovim.

This holy and glorious world met a terrible fate with the arrival of the great Churban. On simchas Torah of 5699 (1939), the Rebbe escaped together with his brother, Rebbe Mordechai Rokeach of Bilgoray (the father of today’s Belzer Ruv). Their harrowing tale of escape and survival could fill volumes, and when he finally reached Eretz Yisroel, he settled on Achad Ha’am Street in Tel Aviv (he refused the pleas of chassidim to settle in Yerushalayim). 

This is where the rebirth of Belz began.

The Rebbe’s reputation soon spread for his kedushah and taharah, and for the great yeshu’os that he would effect for yidden in need. He drew chassidim and non-chassidim alike. During the summer months, he would spend time in the Katamon neighborhood of Yerushalayim—and here too, the crowds would stream to see him.

His ruach hakodesh was clear for all to see. He would regularly greet people with closed eyes, and a towel wrapped around his hand, refusing to touch the hands of ordinary people. But one time, he stopped the person in front of him, and said, “Who are you?” To which he replied, “An ordinary yungerman.” “Nein, nein, yungerman. Fin mir ken men zich nisht bahaltn, from me you cannot hide.” It was a young Lubavitcher Rebbe in Berlin.

He was known to be deeply compassionate, and could not stand to hear any negative word about another Yid—again, in contrast to his complete elevation from this world. The Belzer Ruv barely ate, drank, or slept… he was practically not on this world.

Shabbos Parshas Eikev of 5717 (1957), the Belzer Ruv delivered divrei Torah, as usual. “If a father, or a rebbe, pass away from this world, and his followers conduct themselves in the good ways that he has taught them, this is a zechus for him in the next world.”

At 4:45 Sunday morning, the Rebbe returned his pure soul to its Maker. For decades, he lived the life of a malach on this world, and on 21 Av, he ascended to his rightful place in Gan Eden—while on this world, the Belzer chassidus has continued to grow and thrive, continuing to serve as his living legacy.